"All of our students progress, but he tended to be on the advanced track," said Paulette Bonneau, Director of the Center of Technology.

Bonneau says Roy is the first student to get his welding certification in one year instead of two, but when they went to set up an apprenticeship at Deepwater Buoyancy, they learned a state law restricted hazardous occupations for minors. It meant Roy couldn't work as a welder, until he turned 18.

Independent State Representative Martin Grohman stepped in to help.

"He can weld at the most advanced level in the world. We gotta figure this out. I was really glad that we did," Grohman said.

Working with Republican Senator Amy Volk and Democratic Representative Ryan Fecteau, a new law passed over the summer, allowing minors to work as welders, as long as they're still in school.

“I think this is a good example of nonpartisan work being done in the legislature to solve a big issue,” Fecteau said.